5 Eagles Trade Deadline Targets
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 16: General manger Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game at Lincoln Financial Field against the Atlanta Falcons on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The trade deadline always tells fans what a team really thinks it’s made of. For the Eagles, that answer needs to be honest and clear. They’ve shown flashes of being who they were last season, but the cracks are showing at corner, the pass rush isn’t getting to the quarterback nearly enough, and the depth in the trenches feels thinner than usual. This is where Howie Roseman needs to show and prove his ‘wheeler-dealer’ reputation. The window is still wide open, but the margins are tightening, and smart teams fix leaks before the water rises.
This year, more than most, the league feels completely open for business. Contenders are starting to separate themselves, and sellers are already leaking names. This means that we know who is a buyer and who is a seller. That puts the Eagles in position to cherry-pick value and grab proven help at premium spots. They don’t need a teardown; they need targeted pieces that can hold up in January when the matchups get tighter and the games slow down.
The opening shot has been fired with the Eagles acquiring Michael Carter and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the New York Jets in exchange for WR John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick. An absolute steal, given the fact that the Jets just handed Carter a 3-year, $30.75 million deal in 2024, which made him the highest-paid slot corner in the league at the time.
From what I’m seeing, if Roseman leans into the right mix, one starter-level upgrade, one steady veteran, and one high upside risk, the Eagles roster can make the jump from “dangerous” to “complete.”
These five moves are the ones that make the most football sense right now, in my opinion:
1. Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, New York Jets
The Eagles’ need for another impact rusher is growing by the week, and Johnson ticks nearly every box. He’s the kind of player that Vic Fangio has always coveted: young, durable, and has the exact bend-power mix that works in Fangio’s system. Drafted 26th overall in 2022, he’s become one of the Jets’ most consistent defensive performers, quick off the edge, strong at setting the run, and athletic enough to drop into space when needed. What makes Johnson appealing for Philadelphia is how his game complements Haason Reddick’s old role: explosive first step, long arms to control tackles, and enough discipline to play contained rush lanes.
The Jets are in a rebuild, which is obvious by them moving Carter to the Eagles earlier today, and appear willing to listen to almost anyone not named Sauce Gardner or Garrett Wilson. Multiple reports have mentioned Johnson as a name that could move if the price is right. He’s still under team control through 2026 with a fifth-year option, meaning any team that trades for him isn’t just getting a rental; they’re getting a building block. The Eagles could rotate him with Nolan Smith and immediately regain the pressure rate they’ve been missing since losing depth last season.
The price will be steep, very steep. Philadelphia would likely need to offer a 2026 second-round pick plus a conditional 2027 fourth, or a player-plus-pick package if the Jets want immediate depth. That might sound high, but it’s a smart investment for a 25-year-old pass rusher already producing at a near-Pro Bowl level. His price is also going up because there are likely 5 playoff teams that want him wearing their uniforms. He’s not a one-year rental; he’s a long-term piece that resets your defensive line’s ceiling without the sticker shock of a max contract. We already know he looks good in green, so let’s make this happen.
2. Ja’Quan McMillian, CB, Denver Broncos
I know that the Eagles just made a trade with the New York Jets for Carter, but McMillian has been one of the most quietly effective slot corners in the league this season, and his name keeps surfacing in trade chatter. The Eagles’ secondary has been leaky, especially against motion-heavy teams, and McMillian’s skill set, twitchy, instinctive, and physical, fits exactly where the defense is breaking down. He plays with that short-area burst Fangio loves in nickel defenders, and he’s aggressive in the run game, which makes him a more complete option than some of the pure coverage specialists on the market.
Denver has shown a willingness to move pieces for draft capital as it balances cap space and rebuilds the roster. McMillian is cost-controlled, still on his rookie deal, and offers a ton of scheme flexibility. He’s the kind of player you can insert midseason without worrying about chemistry — steady, assignment-sound, and competitive. Adding him lets Fangio stop forcing matchups with zone-heavy looks and gives more flexibility to use Cooper DeJean wherever he is needed, which is the best place with a flex like him.
The Broncos are on the cusp of contending, so the Eagles could offer their 2026 fifth or sixth-round pick plus a conditional 2027 seventh if McMillian plays a set threshold of snaps. That low cost reflects his current role but fits the “buy-now, controlled cost” theme the front office wants. If we’re learning one thing this season, there is no way we can have too much depth at corner.
3. Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals
Every contender that plays physical football ends up needing one more veteran in the trenches, and Campbell remains that guy. Even at 39, he’s effective, steady, and brings instant credibility. He’s the definition of a short-term rental that makes sense. The Eagles don’t need him to play 40 snaps a week, which Arizona had hoped for; they need him for 18 to 22 quality downs that eat space, anchor against the run, and let Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis stay fresher late in games. Campbell’s leadership is another layer of value. Drop him in that defensive room next to Brandon Graham, and you’ve just added a combined 30 years of playoff experience.
Arizona signed him as a stabilizing presence, but they’re heading nowhere fast and could easily flip him for a pick. Campbell still uses his length better than almost anyone in football, consistently winning leverage and creating inside pressure without overcommitting. He’d fit cleanly in Fangio’s 3-4 looks as an edge or as an interior rusher on third downs. He’s a professional’s professional, and that matters in January.
The Eagles could likely land Campbell for a 2026 sixth-round pick or a 2027 seventh. His salary is affordable and prorates easily into the cap. It’s not a flashy trade, but it’s one that wins playoff games when the margins get small. Sometimes the most boring move ends up being the one that matters most.
4. Evan Neal, OT/G, New York Giants
Don’t come for me here. Neal’s name has been floating in trade circles since early this season, and for good reason. He’s talented but stuck in a bad system, and the fit in New York has been rough from day one. The Eagles, with Jeff Stoutland’s track record of developing linemen, are the perfect landing spot for a reset. Neal’s 6’7”, 340-pound frame and athletic baseline still make him an intriguing project. He’s not ready to step in and start on this roster, but he doesn’t have to.
The plan would be simple: bring him in, let him learn under Lane Johnson, and have Stoutland rebuild his base, footwork, and most importantly, confidence. Neal’s physical traits are rare; his reach, strength, and balance are there, but it’s the consistency that’s missing. Philadelphia’s coaching environment could be the ideal setting to unlock that. Even if he only becomes your swing tackle this year, he’s the kind of depth that can save a season when injuries hit. A change of scenery can do this young man good as well.
Philly could acquire Neal for a 2026 seventh-round pick, with the option to bump it to a sixth if he’s active for a set number of games. The Giants might not love the optics of trading him within the division, but for a team that needs to retool its roster, draft capital is more valuable than pride. For the Eagles, this is a low-cost investment in long-term depth and development, exactly the kind of move Howie Roseman usually sneaks in under the radar.
5. Bradley Chubb or Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami Dolphins
If Miami continues to slip, and Jermaine Johnson II isn’t an option, the Dolphins might listen to offers on one of their high-priced edge rushers for draft flexibility. Chubb and Phillips are both Fangio products who know the system inside and out. Each brings a different strength — Chubb’s power and technique, Phillips’ length and athleticism, but both would give the Eagles the kind of closing burst that changes how opposing quarterbacks operate late in games. The Eagles’ current rotation is solid but lacks that finishing punch; these two bring it.
A move like this would be expensive, but the return would be immediate. Plug either player next to Carter and Davis, and suddenly your front looks terrifying again. Fangio wouldn’t have to blitz as often, which restores the integrity of the coverage. With the NFC loaded with pocket passers, having a dominant front that can collapse from both sides becomes the ultimate equalizer.
Philadelphia would need to part with a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 fourth, or possibly a player swap to offset salary. The Dolphins’ situation makes it feasible, but it’s a substantial risk. Still, if Roseman wants to take a swing that redefines the defense overnight, this is the one. It’s a power move — not a rental, not a patch, it’s a win-now statement that fits the timeline of this roster.
Howie’s history says he’ll call and kick the tires on all five of these names; the trick is timing. For an EDGE, I’d also think that Chase Young would be a thought, but that would be more of an outside shot, and is only an option if the Saints truly pivot to a full sell mode. With that said, wait too long and someone else pays the price, especially at CB and EDGE. These are 2 positions that it feels like all playoff contenders are looking for. The Eagles don’t need a splashy move; they need smart, targeted aggression. The right two of these five could set up another long January, which we all want to see again.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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